Richard said “The Balti King has been popular with residents in our city since Nunu and Forad Miah started the curry house in 1996, 18 years ago.

“They have dishes from mild to the fiery - and then there’s the Dorset Naga, which as Nunu says ‘is not for the faint hearted.’

“For the third year running I have nominated Gloucester restaurants, the previous two being Aroma down Southgate Street and the Hilltop down Worcester Street. Both got highly commended in the South West.

“Gloucester has good curry houses. I hope the Balti King can go a step further and be a regional winner.”

Once all of the nominations are in, an online poll will find the most popular restaurant.

Ten of the entrants nominated from across the country will be short-listed and invited to a special cook-in at Bellamy’s Restaurant in the Houses of Parliament where the overall winner will be found.

The aim of the competition is not only to applaud the quality of South Asian food in Britain, but also to raise money for charity. This year all proceeds will be donated to the charity World Vision whose mission is to transform then lives of the poorest in the developing world.

The name tiffin is given to the containers that transported light meals.

The tiffins, or tiffinboxes are made up of three porcelain round trays with handles and lids in which lunches are delivered to workers. They are delivered through a complex network of Dabbawallahs, who set off with the dishes after the men have left for work. This practice is still in use in India today.